Arsene Wenger: I bought Danny Welbeck for his versatility

Danny Welbeck can play across the front three and is a tireless worker, says Arsene WengerReuters

Arsene Wenger heaped praise on Danny Welbeck following Arsenal's 2-0 win over Middlesbrough on Sunday and insisted that he bought the England international for his versatility on the pitch.

The former Manchester United man can play across the front three and is a tireless worker, which has made him an indispensable part of the Arsenal setup. The striker missed out on a month of action due to injury but has been in brilliant form since his return, scoring the only goal for the Gunners in their 2-1 defeat to Tottenham Hotspur at White Hart Lane.

Welbeck was deployed on the right wing against Middlesbrough, with Alexis Sanchez on the left and Mesut Ozil deployed in his preferred number 10 role. Santi Cazorla was pitted alongside Mathieu Flamini in a deeper role, which experts believe will be his natural position in years to come.

Welbeck ran his socks off against the Championship club, making darting runs into the penalty box and tracking back with pace to stifle any counter attack. The 23-year-old has been a brilliant addition to the squad last summer and Wenger believes that there is more from in the player who is learning his trade at the Emirates.

"One of the reasons I bought him [Welbeck] is that he can play central striker and wide," Wenger said.

"I believe he's doing extremely well and is contributing to the team very well. He can play central striker like he did for a long time but the most natural centre forward we have is Giroud.

"All the strikers we have can play in different positions. The only one who can only play centre forward is Giroud, so when Giroud plays the others have to move out wide," he added.

Welbeck's preffered position is through the middle, where he can get into goal scoring positions but Olivier Giroud's form right now has made him an integral part of the setup, with the striker again scoring a brace to setup Arsenal's win.